Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese nationals

[NgEjay]

A group of about 30 Burmese activists in the United Kingdom held a demonstration on the 29 Aug 08 in front of the Singapore Embassy. The demonstrators were members and supporters of Burma’s Kachin National Organisation.
Holding placards which read “Support the People, Not the Dictators“, and “Singapore, Please Renew Burmese Visas“, the group called on the Singapore government to stop its discrimination against Burmese nationals living in the island state, and stop supporting the Burmese junta through its commercial and diplomatic dealings.

Earlier on 22 Aug, some Burmese residents held a press conference in Singapore at Peninsula Excelsior Hotel in a bid at publicizing the plight of 6 of their compatriots who have had the renewal applications for their PR re-entry permits, employment passes, work permits, or social visit passes turned down. All 6 Burmese patriots had earlier been involved in peaceful demonstrations against the Burmese Junta’s murderous crackdown on monks and innocent civilians in 2007, and the “Vote NO” campaign against the sham referendum on the new military-drafted Constitution for Burma during late April and early May 2008.

Protest were also held by Burmese activists in India on 01 Sept 2008. They were protesting against the Singapore Govenment’s ill-treatment of Burmese activists and against Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej’s comments on Aung San Suu Kyi.
On 25 Aug, the Thai PM met Ibrahim Gambari, the UN’s top envoy to Myanmar, and told the diplomat that efforts to engage the Burmese junta would be more productive if Aung San Suu Kyi was left off the agenda. He said, “Europe uses Aung San Suu Kyi as a tool. If it’s not related to Aung San Suu Kyi, you can have deeper discussions with Myanmar”.
“Aung San Suu Kyi is one thing. The (international community) should talk about how to bring democracy in Myanmar and focus on the constitution and the elections,” he added.

 

[The_Latest_H]

Re: Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese national

Good on ya buddy for reporting this bit of news over here.

 

[Alu862]

Re: Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese national

Gordon Brown's too worried over his own problems to notice. Yet if it was the Nepal case and the Dalai Lama, things would be different.

 

[NgEjay]

Re: Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese national

Good on ya buddy for reporting this bit of news over here.

I am very glad that Burmese nationals overseas are looking out for each other even though they are residing in different countries.

It also shows that people abroad are watching SG closely.

 

[Harry Lee]

Re: Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese national

Burmese in Singapore are allowed to work here.
Their work permit does not permit them to participate in political activities in this country. By demonstrating in Singapore, they had breeched the conditions of their work permit.

Renewal of their work permits is a privilage, not a right.

How can they expect renewal of work permit when they breeched the conditions in the first instance?

They broke the law. They pay for it. This is Singapore, not Burma. We have laws and we abide by the laws.

Go home and fight the Burmese govt in Burma, not here in Singapore. Comprehendo?

 

[zack123]

Re: Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese national

These Myanmese are becoming an irritant....good thing that the Visa is not renewed. What are they trying to achieve by pulling a 3rd party into their own political turmoil? Spread the problem to everyone else?

 

[Ramseth]

Re: Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese national

Yes, this is Singapore, for better or for worse, it's Singaporeans' problem. Whomsoever wishing to fight for whatsoever cause in Myanmar should migrate there. I'm not belittling the Myanmar cause, but Singapore's too small to be able to afford to be their platform.

 

[johnny333]

Re: Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese national

I'm not belittling the Myanmar cause, but Singapore's too small to be able to afford to be their platform.

At least there are Burmese out there who are fighting for Burmese.
Is anybody looking out for the citizens of Spore?:p

 

[rodent2005]

Re: Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese national

Gordon Brown's too worried over his own problems to notice. Yet if it was the Nepal case and the Dalai Lama, things would be different.

What the FXXK are you trying to say? Can u make some bloody sense once in a while!?

 

[peasantJUDGE]

Re: Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese national

Burmese in Singapore are allowed to work here.
Their work permit does not permit them to participate in political activities in this country. By demonstrating in Singapore, they had breeched the conditions of their work permit.

Renewal of their work permits is a privilage, not a right.

How can they expect renewal of work permit when they breeched the conditions in the first instance?

They broke the law. They pay for it. This is Singapore, not Burma. We have laws and we abide by the laws.

Go home and fight the Burmese govt in Burma, not here in Singapore. Comprehendo?

Then the law must be changed.

Otherwise, change the lawmakers.

 

[peasantJUDGE]

Re: Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese national

Yes, this is Singapore, for better or for worse, it's Singaporeans' problem. Whomsoever wishing to fight for whatsoever cause in Myanmar should migrate there. I'm not belittling the Myanmar cause, but Singapore's too small to be able to afford to be their platform.

I dont buy the "Singapore is too small" excuse.

If we dont have the physical size or social depth, some token or symbolic gesture will do. If the government dont want to weigh in on it, at least let the citizens show support without any legal restraints. Nobody is going to march down Orchard Rd ala Bangkok.

 

[The MilkMan]

Re: Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese national

this type of protests is nothing new,the thai also did it at Taiwan.
but it goes to show that they know the rules and regulations here and respect it. that is why they held the protest in other countries.
a very smart move,it will attract the attention of other countries and put some pressure on our government.

 

[The_Latest_H]

Re: Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese national

Burmese in Singapore are allowed to work here.
Their work permit does not permit them to participate in political activities in this country. By demonstrating in Singapore, they had breeched the conditions of their work permit.

Renewal of their work permits is a privilage, not a right.

Protesting peacefully against human rights violations in Burma is entirely different from the real serious crimes of murder, rape, business embezzlement, counterfeiting to the simple crimes like theft, or stealing.

Therefore to equate protesting peacefully to murder is entirely unjustifiable. The only reason on why Parliament was allowed to pass it, and the Supreme and District court allowed to apply it is because both bodies are rubber stamps for such an unjustifiable law.

And if protest rallies are so bad, and if political rallies are so bad, then can you explain a student-organised rally for Barack Obama in university and for Obama in an parade in any state in America? If the students organise such a rally in conjunction and cooperation with his official campaign, would it cause a big riot?

 

[bigbossman]

Re: Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese national

I am very glad that Burmese nationals overseas are looking out for each other even though they are residing in different countries.
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Good post, nice photos.

The overseas demonstrations ought to put some pressure on Singapore. They should keep the protest on until Singapore treat the Burmese better

 

[leetahbar]

Re: Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese national

Good post, nice photos.

The overseas demonstrations ought to put some pressure on Singapore. They should keep the protest on until Singapore treat the Burmese better

singapore's action in repatriation of the 6 burmese protestors contradicts what our national flag stands for

 

[tiulehloumoh]

Re: Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese national

thank for the nice photo, our immigration personnel will know who to bar should they try to cum here......

 

[one2unite]

Re: Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese national

Yes, this is Singapore, for better or for worse, it's Singaporeans' problem. Whomsoever wishing to fight for whatsoever cause in Myanmar should migrate there. I'm not belittling the Myanmar cause, but Singapore's too small to be able to afford to be their platform.

The murderous military junta in Burma depends for its survival on a few countries, one of which is Singapore, to continue its repression and illegitimacy. Burmese money launderers and drug lords connected to the junta are allowed free entry into Singapore and a number of them are either PRs or citizens here!!

Burmese top generals are given medical treatment which according to PM Lee Hsien Loong is on compassionate ground. Can this same reasoning be advanced by LHL if Osama bin Laden should seek medical care in Singapore??

 

[Ramseth]

Re: Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese national

Burmese top generals are given medical treatment which according to PM Lee Hsien Loong is on compassionate ground. Can this same reasoning be advanced by LHL if Osama bin Laden should seek medical care in Singapore??

Perhaps, and first question may be, medisave, cash or credit card?

 

[Soundwave]

Re: Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese national

Perhaps, and first question may be, medisave, cash or credit card?

They pay in cold hard cash! US dollars too!

 

[Harry Lee]

Re: Protests break out in UK and India over Singapore’s treatment of Burmese national

Any foreigner who imports his homeland's politics into Singapore will be thrown out.

Period.

We don't want Foreign Talent/Trash politics in Singapore.

FT's can balek kampong and start a revolution if they are so brave, I don't care.

But if you drag Singapore into your foreign kampong politics, I will throw you out
.